Self-Interest and Public Opinion Toward Smoking Policies: A Replication and Extension

Abstract

Numerous studies report that self-interest has a nonsignificant influence upon various political and social attitudes. In contrast, a recent article by Green and Gerken (1989) reports a California study showing that cigarette smokers are significantly more opposed than nonsmokers to public smoking restrictions and tobacco sales tax increases. The present article replicates and extends this analysis with data from two different statesIllinois (in 1984, N = 458) and North Carolina (in 1985, N = 488)-and using analysis techniques that differ from and expand upon the California study. Despite these methodological differences, self-interest is again shown to have a significant influence on opinions concerning public smoking restrictions and taxation, as well as on several additional issues relating to smoking and tobacco.

An exploratory study of influences on public opinion towards alcohol and tobacco sponsorship of sporting events

“…restricting smoking in public places and tax increases on cigarettes). Dixon et al (1991) replicated and extended Green and Gerken's work, looking at a number of sociodemographic measures (i.e. age, income, education, gender and race) and indicators of self-interest related to tobacco use.…”

“…previous research supporting the influence of product use on public policy preferences regarding tobacco (Dixon et al, 1991;Green and Gerken, 1989); and . relevant marketing literature on sport consumers (Burnett et al, 1993;Holbrook and Hirschman, 1982).…”

“…Similar to Dixon et al (1991), several sociodemographic questions were also posed for classification purposes, including: respondents' age, gender, race, and level of education.…”

“…8-9). Interestingly, a review of studies involving self-interest and public policy issues reveals that while self-interest does not dramatically influence most attitudes towards political and social concerns, smokers and non-smokers have significantly different opinions toward tobacco-related policy matters (Green and Gerken, 1989), including the regulation of tobacco promotions (Dixon et al, 1991). While there have been no similar studies examining alcohol usage and the influence of self-interest on attitudes towards its promotion or regulation, the aforementioned research on smoking suggests this notion offers a great deal of face validity.…”

The Growth in Marketing Alliances between US Professional Sport and Legalised Gambling Entities: Are We Putting Sport Consumers at Risk?

“…One general research proposition within the area of socio-demographics suggests that sport consumers who reside in closer proximity to gambling establishments (e.g., casinos), and who thus may be direct or indirect recipients of the economic benefits provided by such establishments, may be more accepting of gambling and hence LGE sport marketing alliances. Additionally, oneʼs gender, level of education and level of household income may correlate to an acceptance, or non-acceptance of LGE sport marketing alliances (Danylchuk, 2000;Dixon, Lowery, Levy, & Ferraro, 1991). This line of research suggests that…”